Hong Kong follows the British "common law" rule of law principles and the "diversion system" legal profession, providing two services: "solicitor" and "barrister".
Although the division of work between the two is clear and there is no difference in nature, based on historical issues, the society generally refers to them simply as "lawyers" and "barristers," and even thinks that the latter is more advanced than the former.
In recent years, many legal practitioners have advocated professional reforms, requesting the SAR government to follow the trend of "global integration" and follow the example of other countries and regions to keep up with the times and merge "lawyers" and "barristers" to promote equal rights in the legal service profession.
In fact, Hong Kong has not been without relevant discussions in the past, but it is often opposed by the barristers-what are the reasons?
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Judicial Profession ‧ Bottom｜Should "barristers" and "lawyers" be merged?
Chen Zeming, president of the Law Society, said that if "solicitors" were allowed to have a say in higher courts, it would be more in the public interest.
(Provided by the respondent.)
Tan Yunzhi, former chairman of the Bar Association, believes that the issue of industry mergers involves the entire ecology and interests.
(Photo by Huang Baoying)
For details, please read the 283th "Hong Kong 01" Electronic Weekly Newsletter (September 20, 2021) "Should "Barristers" and "Lawyers" be merged?
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